Chemistry

The B.A. in Chemistry is a “central science” degree as you’re taught concepts and research in not just chemistry, but also biological concepts that connect all of the physical, life and applied sciences. The program offers a comprehensive education in the foundations of organic, inorganic and analytical chemistry, together with biological studies that intersect various areas of chemistry. Along with a firm understanding of scientific information, you’ll acquire specific skills important to life, and to industry. You’ll learn to identify small details, create hypotheses for problem solving, analyze data and communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

This foundation degree gives you a breadth and depth of understanding that will prepare you for a wide variety of professions, creating viable pathways for students attracted to the sciences. This an ideal course of study if you wish to enter medical school, dental school, veterinary science or pursue graduate studies in chemistry. You can also pursue science-related opportunities in research and development; materials science; consumer products such as food and cosmetics; environmental, commercial or industrial laboratories and more.

Professional Chemistry Training

• The B.A. in Chemistry will prepare you for admission into medical school or for graduate study in chemistry and related fields.
• The program provides training in scientific analysis and problem solving, as you draw conclusions from experimental observations.
• Professors bring a wide variety of experience in the chemistry and biology fields.
• Your learning will be highly individualized as you engage in direct, high-level contact with your professors.
• You’ll engage in hands-on learning through experiential laboratory exercises, using high-level instrumentation.

In your chemistry program, you’ll learn from professors who bring a wide variety of experience in the chemistry and biology fields, including industry research, forensics and biochemistry relating to environmental factors. You may also have the opportunity to work with industry experts who visit our campus and conduct hands-on labs for classes.

This is a program focused on scientific knowledge and research. All faculty have extensive scientific research experience in multiple areas.  You’ll learn to create a hypothesis and follow through with laboratory experiments to create a knowledge base of chemistry across a wide variety of chemical applications.

Throughout your program you’ll gain career-ready skills such as problem solving, analysis and critical thinking. You’ll learn skills in lab processes, scientific inquiry and working in teams. And, you’ll acquire critical communication skills, learning to effectively share and explain technical knowledge with others.

The Center for Science and Technology

Tiffin University’s newest building on campus is our Center for Science and Technology – also referred to as “the STEAM building.” Here, you’ll engage in experiential laboratory exercises, using high-level instrumentation that is not used in other programs until graduate level coursework. Instrumentation includes GC-MS (Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry), HPLC (High-performance liquid chromatography) and FTIR (Fourier Transform Infared Spectroscopy), “Bod Pod” (to analyze the impact of physical activity on the human body) and DNA Sequential Analyzer. You’ll also learn anatomy and physiology to the molecular and cellular level using the Anatomage Table, a six-foot horizontal computer and virtual autopsy machine using digitized human bodies dedicated to science. TU is one of the few schools in the nation to have access to such a machine.

Active learning is an integral part of the B.A. Chemistry program. Attentive faculty work closely with students, who benefit from our program’s smaller, more personalized class sizes. Ours is an experiential approach to learning as the curriculum and labs involve actual application of scientific processes. Engaging in an active, hands-on program, you’ll:

• Participate in research in a lab using high-tech, state-of-the-art instruments.
• Use scientific software and interpret data from laboratory procedures.
• Actively practice communicating scientific information through lab reports.
• Participate in a 150-hour required internship.
• Share knowledge learned through peer-to-peer discussions, presentations and interaction with people in the field.
• Present research in the field learned from scientific journals to classmates.
• Have the opportunity to complete individually chosen research projects guided by professors to present to national conferences.
• Collaborate with other students in labs, learning to communicate and work with people different than you.
• Have the opportunity to visit and engage with different types of labs.

CURRICULUM

Students majoring in Chemistry must earn a minimum of a 2.5 GPA at the completion of the 8- hours, course sequence of CHM131/CHM131Lab/CHM132/CHM132Lab, to continue in the major.

• BIO210 General Biology I with BIO210L Lab – 4 hours
• BIO211 General Biology II with BIO211L Lab – 4 hours
• CHM131 General Chemistry I with CHM131L Lab – 4 hours
• CHM132 General Chemistry II with CHM132L Lab – 4 hours
• CHM281 Analytical Chemistry with CHM281L Lab – 4 hours
• CHM331 Organic Chemistry I with CHM331L Lab – 4 hours
• CHM332 Organic Chemistry II with CHM332L Lab – 4 hours
• CHM411 Biochemistry with CHM441L Lab – 4 hours
• CHM450 Physical Chemistry with CHM450L Lab – 4 hours
• CHM481 Instrumental Analysis with Lab – 4 hours
• MAT285 Calculus II – 5 hours
• PHY211 General Physics I with PHY211L Lab – 4 hours
• PHY212 General Physics II with PHY212L Lab – 4 hours
• SAS470 Internship – 3 hours

Total – 56 hours
Program electives: 8 additional credit hours in CHM/BIO/MAT

This is a sample course sequence to illustrate course offerings for this major. Consult the official Academic Bulletin for detailed registration and advising information.

SAMPLE COURSES

General Chemistry II (CHM132) – This second semester course includes topics on organic chemistry, solutions, chemical kinetics, equilibrium, acids and bases, redox reactions, electrochemistry and nuclear chemistry. Lab required.

Organic Chemistry I (CHM331) – The study of organic chemistry including the structure and nomenclature of organic compounds. Topics will consider both the theoretical and experimental approaches to organic compounds. Lab required.

Quantitative Analysis (CHM281) – This course will serve as an introduction to the basic concepts of analytical techniques. Students will be expected to apply concepts learned in General Chemistry. The techniques and skills developed in the required lab will be essential for CHM481.

FORMAT

On Campus – Offered in a 15-week semester format with start dates of January and August

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in STEM-based jobs is expected to grow by 8% between the years 2019-2029. This increase is happening at more than twice the speed of non-STEM work. It is predicted that by 2025, the job market will be overrun with more than 3.5 million STEM vacancies, meaning people with knowledge and experience in these realms will be very desirable to employers.

CAREERS

• Chemistry Teacher
• Cosmetic Scientist
• Environmental Testing Technologist
• Food Scientist
• Healthcare Administrator
• Lab Technician
• Legal Case Assessor
• Medical Technologist
• Pharmaceutical Laboratory Technician
• Research Assistant
• Research Scientist
• Sales Representative
• Science Writer
• Technical Writer